It's that time of year again: fruits in season, sun is scorching, kids are out of school and bbq's are in full swing.

What better beverage than a cold citrus margarita to celebrate this awesome time of year? Or maybe even passionfruit margaritas? How good does that sound? Tangy but sweet and earthy and fresh?

These tropical margarita recipes are extra special because they are easy to make, inexpensive, super unique and taste tested (and of course approved). The unique flavor combinations - of pineapple with lime and a chili rim and passionfruit with grapefruit, lemon and cane sugar - make for a great conversation starter as well. Mmmmmmm.

This summer I started taking a plant-based nutrition course as well. It's been so fun to listen to all these PhDs, MDs and RDs finally talking disease prevention and reversal through a plant-based diet. The science is finally there guys and things are definitely changing in the world of disease research and medicine. I'm so excited to share some of the things I'm learning, so stay tuned.

One of the things I do know and always have known is that occasional adult beverages aren't what's making you fat or giving you disease. The stress of worrying about drinking a margarita or two is quite worse. It's the high fat foods that's hurting us.

Blah blah, in the meantime, grab a friend like I did (she's so cute right, see above, her name is Hannah), whip up some fresh tropical margaritas, sit by the pool, have some great long conversations and let the kids run wild.

Those types of days are the best if you ask me...and it's what childhood and parenthood is all about. You don't need to entertain your kids every second or take them on lavish vacations or worry about them not doing enough this Summer! Just being around you and with other kids doing silly kid stuff are memories they will cherish as well.

Note these margarita recipes are not exact cups, they are ratios. I hope it's not too confusing but it's easier in the sense that it's applicable for those making larger batches or those who want just one marg.

Fresh Margarita Recipes

Ratio for strong marks is 1:1 alcohol : juice meaning if you have one cup of fresh juice, you have one cup of alcohol. Also feel free to swap tequila or vodka here.

Juice:

Alcohol:

Garnish:

Rim:

DIRECTIONS

For the citrus juice you want to use fresh limes and lemons. You can use a hand squeezer as I like to do or an electric citrus juicer. Combine equal parts citrus juice and equal parts pineapple juice. Add the agave or simple syrup to taste. Usually a Tbls or so per cup of juice.

Next, you'll want to combine the tequila and cointreau in a separate measuring cup. I like to use a splash of cointreau for every cup of tequila. So if you're using 2 cups of tequila then 1/4 cup of cointreau will be perfect. Combine equal parts of this alcohol mixture to equal parts of the fresh juice mixture.

For example, if you have 3 cups of juice in a bowl, add 3 cups of the alcohol mixture to the juice for a total of 6 cups.

In a separate dish you will want to muddle/mash up the chopped jalapeño and the mint leaves using a spoon or a cocktail muddler.

Combine all of the above together.

On a plate you'll want to combine salt and mexican chili powder. Using lime or lemon that you already squeezed, wet the rim of your glasses and then gently dip into the salt chili mixture. Add ice to the glass and using a strainer, pour the margarita mixture over the ice.

Serve immediately. Or freeze mixture until ready to consume.

Passionfruit Citrus Margs

INGREDIENTS

Juice:

grapefruit juice

lemon juice

lime juice

agave nectar or simple syrup, to taste

Alcohol:

tequila of choice

Garnish:

passionfruit

Rim:

sugar (fine or chunky)

margarita or real sea salt

DIRECTIONS

For the citrus juice you want to use fresh limes, grapefruits and lemons. You can use a hand squeezer as I like to do or an electric citrus juicer. I chose to use mainly grapefruit juice with just a few splashes of lime and lemon. Add the agave or simple syrup to taste. Usually a Tbls or so per cup of juice.

Next, you'll want to combine the tequila with the juice. Combine equal parts alcohol mixture to equal parts of the fresh juice mixture.

For example, if you have 3 cups of juice in a bowl, add 3 cups of tequila to the juice for a total of 6 cups.

Add the passionfruit. This part gets a tad trickier portion wise but you'll basically want to add half a passionfruit to each margarita. I would probably do 1 passionfruit per 3 cups of mixture.

Combine all of the above together gently.

On a plate you'll want to combine salt and sugar. Using lime or lemon that you already squeezed, wet the rim of your glasses and then gently dip rim into the sugar salt mixture. Add ice to the glass and then simply pour the margarita mixture over the ice.

Serve immediately or store in freezer until ready to serve. Tip: If you make this ahead and freeze the mixture long enough you don't have to use as much ice when serving.